Fruit of the Spirit: Peace Takes Discipline

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22-23

When you think about the fruit of the Spirit, what comes to mind?

Sometimes we treat these qualities as if they just happen because we’re connected to God. If we’re walking with Him, we assume peace will naturally settle over us.

Then Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). That sounds like a gift. And gifts don’t usually require effort.

So which is it? Is peace a gift, or is it something we have to pursue?

I think the answer is both.

Yes, peace is a gift from Jesus. But throughout Scripture we’re also told to seek peace, pursue peace, let peace rule in our hearts, and be peacemakers. If peace were completely automatic, those commands wouldn’t be necessary.

The Holy Spirit produces peace in us, but we are called to cultivate it.

That’s because peace isn’t passive.

There are countless things competing for your attention every day, fear, bad news, conflict, social media, uncertainty, disappointment, and the desire to control what only God can control. If you don’t intentionally guard your heart and mind, something else will gladly take your peace.

Many of us pray for peace while continuing the very habits that steal it.

We replay conversations in our minds. We scroll until we’re anxious. We focus on everything that’s wrong instead of remembering what God has already done. We try to control outcomes instead of trusting the One who holds them.

Pursuing peace doesn’t always change your circumstances, but it changes how you walk through them.

Peace is practiced one decision at a time.

It looks like choosing prayer over panic. Gratitude over complaining. Trust over control. Forgiveness over bitterness. It looks like closing the news app when you’ve read enough, putting your phone down when your mind needs rest, and fixing your thoughts on what is true instead of everything that could go wrong.

None of those choices earn God’s peace. They simply position our hearts to receive and walk in the peace He has already given us.

You can do all the “right” Christian things—attend church, read your Bible, serve faithfully and still struggle with peace if your heart is clinging to fear or your mind is consumed with distraction.

So here’s the question: What are you trusting for your peace right now?

Because whatever you’re trusting will determine whether your peace rises and falls with your circumstances.

We don’t drift into peace. We drift into distraction. Peace is something we intentionally return to every day.

As we repeatedly return our hearts and minds to Christ, the Holy Spirit continues producing His fruit within us. Peace isn’t passive. It’s practiced. And over time, what begins as discipline becomes a way of life.

Reflection: What has been stealing your peace lately? What is one intentional choice you can make today to return your heart and mind to the peace Christ has already given you?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of Your peace. Thank You that You did not leave us to navigate this world on our own. Help us to continually return our hearts and minds to You when distractions, fear, and worry pull us away. Teach us to pursue the peace that comes from trusting You, not our circumstances. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Help us practice peace each day until it becomes the posture of our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

November: The Fruit of the Spirit — Who Are You Becoming?

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November is here, and this month we’re going to talk about the Fruit of the Spirit!

When I started planning this series about six months ago, I knew I wanted to do something a little different for November. This is typically the time of year when we focus on gratitude, thankfulness, and giving. And while all those things are important, I wanted us to think about something else, too.

What are we putting out into the world? How are we showing up? And who are we becoming?

Especially with the midterm elections coming up here in America, I think it’s a good time to reflect on how we treat one another, even when we disagree.

I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately about what it really means to follow Jesus. One question that keeps coming up is: Are you trying to be like them, or are you trying to be like Jesus?

Because those are two very different things!

Jesus teaches us to forgive, turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and extend grace. And while that sounds wonderful in theory, putting it into practice can be challenging.

I’m not a particularly petty person, but I’ll admit that always being the bigger person isn’t easy. Sometimes you want to respond with the same energy someone gives you. Sometimes you want to prove your point. And sometimes you know you’re right, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re handling the situation correctly.

I’ve had to confront that in my own life recently.

I’ve had conversations where I had to admit that my ego played a role in how I handled a situation. I’ve had to apologize, take responsibility, and recognize that even when someone else contributed to a disagreement, I still had a responsibility for my own behavior.

That has taught me a lot about practicing what I preach.

It’s one thing to say you go to church, read your Bible, pray, and follow Jesus. It’s another thing entirely when someone is yelling at you, pointing fingers, or challenging you, and you have to decide how you’re going to respond.

Are you going to react like everyone else, or are you going to respond in a way that reflects Jesus?

That’s where the Fruit of the Spirit comes in.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) identifies nine characteristics: love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These aren’t simply personality traits that some people naturally have and others don’t. They’re characteristics that the Holy Spirit develops in us as we grow in our relationship with God.

We’re called to cultivate all of them, not just the ones that come naturally.

Some may be easier for us than others. You might be a naturally joyful person but struggle with patience. You might be kind but have difficulty exercising self-control. Or you might be faithful but struggle to respond gently when someone pushes your buttons.

That’s part of growing and maturing spiritually.

Throughout November, we’ll explore what these characteristics actually look like in everyday life. We’ll talk about peace, joy, gentleness, and what it means to have strength under control. We’ll also discuss gratitude as we move through this season of thanksgiving.

But more than anything, I want this series to be practical.

I don’t want us to simply know what the Fruit of the Spirit is. I want us to think about how we demonstrate it in our homes, workplaces, relationships, and communities.

Spiritual growth isn’t just about what we know. It’s about how we live.

So as we begin this month, I want you to consider one question:

If someone looked at the way you treated others this past week, what fruit would they see?

Stay tuned. We’re going to grow together this month!

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

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Hi there!

I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself.

My name is Dominique. I’m 41 years old. I’m a wife, a mom, and a millenial manager. lol. I teach Bible study, and I enjoy brunch, happy hour, reading, writing, traveling, shopping, and a good nap!

I’ve been writing this blog for almost ten years, which is absolutely crazy to think about.

Now, my consistency hasn’t always been great. I’ve been paying for this domain for ten years, though! 😂 Over the last five years, I’ve gotten better about showing up, but this year? I’ve been excellent, if I do say so myself. And I’m really proud of that.

When I started Always Finding the Silver Lining, my goal was simple: I wanted to help people find the good in the difficult things we experience in life.

And although my life has changed quite a bit over the last decade, my reason for writing hasn’t.

I’ve always wanted to help people get to know God in a way that feels accessible. I want people to understand that God can meet them exactly where they are and that connecting with Him doesn’t have to fit into a particular box.

That connection can look different for different people.

Sometimes it looks like studying the Bible in a traditional way. Other times, it looks like using song lyrics to dig deeper into Scripture. Sometimes it’s recognizing that decluttering your house can teach you something about making room for God.

Who would’ve thought?

That’s what I love about writing. There are so many ways to explore faith, life, and spiritual growth.

Recently, I went back and read the original welcome message I wrote when I started this blog almost ten years ago. One line stood out to me:

“I am moving along beside you in this journey called life.”

Reading those words today, I realize that’s still exactly what I’m doing.

I’m a little older, hopefully a little wiser, and definitely more comfortable sharing my thoughts. I’ve experienced things I never imagined when I started this blog. I’ve grown as a woman, a mother, a wife, a writer, and in my relationship with God.

But I still don’t have all the answers.

I still believe there’s value in sharing what I’m learning along the way.

The woman who started this blog almost ten years ago would never have imagined we’d be here today. Back then, I wasn’t particularly comfortable being vulnerable or trying things I wasn’t immediately good at. But I felt God pushing me to write, so I did.

I’m so glad I listened.

At the beginning of this year, I did something I’d never done before. I planned out an entire year of blog content. And for the most part, I’ve stuck to that plan!

I’m proud of the consistency I’ve developed, but as I start thinking about next year, I find myself asking some questions.

What do I want to write about? What do I want to say? How do I continue bringing fresh, interesting content to a blog I’ve been writing for almost a decade?

I don’t want to write just for the sake of writing.

I don’t want you to receive another email from me simply because it’s time for another post.

I want what I share to mean something.

I want you to feel inspired, empowered, challenged, convicted, educated, informed, or maybe just reminded that you’re not alone in whatever you’re experiencing.

I want to keep growing, too.

I’ve finished the first draft of my book, and my goal is to finish the second draft before the end of the year. That’s another journey I’m excited about, especially because there was a time when writing a book felt like such a distant possibility.

So as I look toward the new year, I’m feeling a little torn, but not in a bad way.

I’m excited. I’m curious. I’m interested to see what this next chapter of writing looks like.

I’d love to hear from you.

What do you want to read about? What questions do you have? What topics would you like to explore together?

Maybe it’s faith. Maybe it’s motherhood, relationships, personal growth, or navigating life’s challenges. Maybe it’s something I haven’t even thought about yet.

One thing I’ve realized is that I don’t necessarily need to find brand-new things to talk about. Sometimes growth allows us to revisit familiar subjects with a different perspective. The way I understood life, faith, and even myself ten years ago isn’t necessarily the way I understand those things today.

And that’s part of the beauty of this journey.

I don’t have all the answers, and I certainly don’t have everything figured out. But I do know that I want to keep writing, learning, growing, and finding the silver lining along the way.

Almost ten years later, the mission is still the same. I’m just continuing to grow into it.

I hope you’ll stick around for the journey.

Now it’s your turn! What would you love to see on Always Finding the Silver Lining in the coming year? Leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time,

Dominique

Simplicity: Making Room for What Matters

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I was doing some research on spiritual disciplines when I came across one I had never really considered before: simplicity.

I knew about prayer, fasting, meditation, Bible study, and Sabbath, but simplicity? I had never thought about it as a spiritual discipline.

I’ve always been interested in clutter and the impact it can have on our mental and emotional well-being. I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, which explores how the busyness and distractions of our lives can interfere with our ability to connect with God.

As I started learning more about simplicity, I realized it goes much deeper than having a clean house or an organized closet.

Simplicity isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about making room for what truly matters.

The Clutter We Don’t See

A few years ago, I wrote a post about being “minimalist adjacent.” I like the idea of minimalism, but I’m not quite a minimalist.

I don’t have a lot of visible clutter in my house. But I do have a lot of closets! My house can look neat and organized, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t have more stuff than I need.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to do a major purge. Not just my regular seasonal cleaning, but really going through things and asking myself what I need, what I use, and what is simply taking up space.

I’ve always been someone who gives things away. Every season, I go through clothes and other items we no longer use. It’s something my mother taught me growing up. Even when we didn’t have a lot, we still gave things away.

But what if decluttering isn’t just about creating a cleaner home? What if it can also be an opportunity to practice contentment, generosity, and intentionality?

I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with enjoying nice things. I like shopping. I like having things that make my home comfortable and things my family will enjoy.

But simplicity challenges us to examine our relationship with those things.

The goal isn’t necessarily to own less. It’s to make sure what we own doesn’t begin to own us.

Simplicity Goes Beyond Our Homes

Here’s what really challenged me about simplicity as a spiritual discipline: clutter isn’t always physical.

Our minds can be cluttered. Our schedules can be cluttered. Even our spiritual lives can become cluttered.

We can fill every available moment with something to do, somewhere to go, something to watch, or something to think about and then wonder why we struggle to find quiet moments with God.

In Luke 10:38–42, Martha was busy taking care of responsibilities while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him. Martha wasn’t doing something bad. She was serving. But she had become distracted by everything that needed to be done.

Sometimes we don’t need another activity, commitment, or responsibility.

Sometimes we need room to rest. Room to think. Room to pray. Room to simply be present.

Making Room

I’m learning that simplicity isn’t something we accomplish once and check off a list. We can clean out every closet, but if we don’t change our habits, they’ll eventually fill back up. The same is true of our schedules and our minds.

So as I think about my desire to purge my home, I’m also thinking about the other areas of my life.

What am I holding on to that I no longer need?

What is taking up unnecessary space, physically or mentally?

What might I have more room for if I learned to let some things go?

Simplicity isn’t just about what we’re willing to get rid of. It’s about what we’re making room for.

Until next time,

Dominique

Bible Study Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

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When I decided to write about spiritual disciplines this month, I knew I wanted to approach them differently. We know we’re supposed to pray, read our Bibles, meditate, and rest. But how do we make these practices something we want to do instead of something we feel obligated to do?

I hadn’t quite figured out how I wanted to approach Bible study until I attended the Brave Space Conference on Wednesday.

One of the presenters, CHRIS. Christopher Hearn, led a session where we listened to a song and identified lyrics that spoke to us about leadership. He gave us the written lyrics, played the song, and then repeated the words a cappella. It was a really cool exercise, but what struck me most was that I had done something similar just a couple of months earlier.

In August, I attended a gospel concert featuring Naomi Raine, Chandler Moore, and Tony Evans. It was an amazing experience, but I was also going through a difficult time. My cousin had passed away just two days earlier. I already had the tickets, so I decided to go.

As I listened to the music, certain lyrics kept speaking to me. Instead of just enjoying them in the moment, I started writing them down.

Now, I’ve been to plenty of concerts. I’ve seen Beyoncé more times than I can count, and I’ve attended gospel concerts before. But I’d never sat at a concert writing down lyrics.

At first, I felt a little strange doing it.

But I didn’t want to forget what I was hearing. I wanted to go back, sit with those words, and find the Scriptures that supported them. I wanted to know whether what I was singing and hearing aligned with what God had actually said.

And that’s when I realized something.

This could be Bible study.

What if, instead of approaching Bible study the same way every day, we found creative ways to engage with God’s Word?

What if you turned on your favorite gospel song, listened closely to the lyrics, and wrote down the words that stood out to you? Then you could open your Bible and search for Scriptures that support, explain, or even challenge what you heard.

You might discover a promise you’ve overlooked, a passage you want to understand better, or a reminder of God’s character that you desperately needed.

And just because a lyric sounds good doesn’t automatically mean it’s biblical. That’s part of the beauty of studying. We get to examine what we’re hearing against what Scripture actually teaches.

Bible study doesn’t always have to look like sitting in a quiet room with your Bible, a notebook, and a highlighter. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach. I love a good traditional Bible study. But it isn’t the only way to engage with God’s Word.

The goal isn’t simply to check Bible study off our to-do list. The goal is to connect with God.

And the more meaningful that connection becomes, the more we desire it.

Maybe you have 30 minutes. Maybe you have 15. Maybe all you have is five minutes and one song.

Start there.

I’m actually thinking about trying this with the new Kirk Franklin and GloRilla song. The original song they remade was definitely popular during my college party days! I’m curious to hear how they’ve transformed it and explore how the lyrics connect to Scripture.

That’s the beauty of studying God’s Word. There are so many ways to approach it, and sometimes the most meaningful moments begin when we’re not even expecting them.

So this week, I want to challenge you to try something different. Pick a gospel song you love. Listen to the lyrics. Write down what speaks to you. Then open your Bible and explore what God says about those words.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Reflection Question: What is one creative way you could engage with God’s Word this week that would make Bible study feel less like an obligation and more like an opportunity to connect with Him?

Until next time,

Dominique

Redefining Success

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I missed last week. My first blog post missed in months.

At first, I was disappointed. Writing is a gift God has given me, and it’s one I want to continue nurturing and cultivating. I love writing, and I know I don’t get better at it if I’m not doing it.

But something I picked up at the Brave Space Conference was the importance of redefining what success means.

So I started thinking: Have I been unsuccessful because I missed a week?

If my goal was to publish a blog post every single week without fail, then traditionally, yes.

But what if my true goal was to consistently nurture my craft, develop my gift, and show up for myself?

Then missing one week doesn’t derail my success.

Success does not equal perfection.

That’s a lesson I know, but it’s also one I have to keep learning. Perfectionism has a way of sneaking back into our thinking, convincing us that one missed opportunity somehow cancels out all the progress we’ve made.

But consistency isn’t about never missing. It’s about continuing to show up, even after we do.

And maybe that’s what success looks like in this season. Not a perfect record, but a continued commitment to the things God has placed in my heart.

Because growth is a journey, and perfectionism will probably show up again. The difference is that I’m learning how to recognize it and challenge it instead of allowing it to define me.

One missed week doesn’t erase months of showing up. It doesn’t mean I’ve stopped growing.

Until next time,

Dominique

Walking with God Daily

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I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember.

Over the years, I have started plenty of books. I have pages of notes, unfinished drafts, and more ideas than I know what to do with. Sometimes I wonder if God is going to keep giving me book ideas until I finally finish one.

Finishing has always been the difficult part for me. I would begin a writing project feeling excited and inspired, but eventually I would try to include too many ideas and lose the plot. Other times, life would happen, another idea would grab my attention, or the size of the project would overwhelm me. I knew I wanted to write a book, but I had not yet learned how to stay with one long enough to complete it.

Earlier this year, I started developing an idea around what it means to walk with God daily. It was something I had been trying to do with greater consistency and intentionality in my own life.

Walking with God daily sounds like the easiest thing in the world—and sometimes, it feels like the hardest.

In theory, many of us are already doing it. We pray. We attend church. We read our Bibles. Those practices are important, but walking with God is more than completing a spiritual routine.

It is trusting Him when things do not look right. It is believing He can work everything together for our good, even when what we are experiencing does not feel good. It is obeying when He is not saying what we want to hear. Then it is choosing to do it again the next day.

Trust. Obey. Repeat.

It sounds simple, but it is much easier said than done.

I wanted to write a book that acknowledges how difficult this walk can be while reminding readers that it is still possible. Walking with God is not always a straight or predictable journey. There will be highs and lows, progress and setbacks, moments of confidence and seasons filled with questions. There will be times when we feel close to God and times when we have to intentionally find our way back.

None of that means we have stopped walking.

Walking with God Daily explores the situations we face in ordinary life: learning when to rest and when to be productive, recognizing growth, naming our feelings, navigating relationships, dealing with work, and remaining connected to God through it all. Along with personal reflections, the book includes practical steps and applicable tools to help readers live out what they are learning.

This is not a book about mastering the perfect Christian routine. It is about continuing to walk with God through real life—one decision, one act of obedience, and one day at a time.

And for the first time, I can say that I have completed the first draft of a book. I plan to finish the second draft by the end of this year.

Finishing this manuscript means more to me than completing a writing project. It represents learning to stay committed when the excitement wears off, continuing when the process becomes overwhelming, and practicing the very message I am writing about.

I am trusting God with this book. I am obeying His direction. And I am continuing to take the next step.

Trust. Obey. Repeat.

I am so excited to complete this work and, one day soon, share Walking with God Daily with you.

September

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September has always been my favorite month. It’s my birthday month, fall is around the corner, and something about September has always felt like a reset.

Recently, I started seeing posts about September being a month of completion. Apparently, in numerology, the number nine is associated with completion, endings, and preparing for a new cycle. Now, I’m not looking to numerology to tell me what God is doing in my life, but the idea of completion caught my attention.

Especially because it reminded me of something I wrote on September 28, 2023.

At the time, I had come across 2 Corinthians 8:10–11:

“Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started…” — 2 Corinthians 8:10–11 NLT

I remember thinking, Where has this verse been?

I needed it.

I wrote in 2023: “I’m a great starter but not a great finisher.”

That used to be me.

I get excited about an idea. Then the ideas multiply. I start thinking about all the possibilities, all the different angles, all the ways I could execute it and eventually the excitement becomes overwhelm.

At the time, one of those unfinished things was my book.

I had started writing it a year earlier, and then my phone died. Everything I had written was gone. I was devastated, but if I’m being truthful, I was mostly mad at myself. I hadn’t properly saved what I was creating.

Still, I wrote something else that day:

“I want to finish what I start.”

Three years later, I’m reading those words differently.

Because I did go back.

I started again. I kept writing. I changed things. I added things. I wrestled with the direction more times than I can count.

But eventually, I had a completed first draft in my hands.

And maybe that’s what I’ve been learning about finishing: finishing requires you to stop being captivated by what something could be long enough to complete what it is.

At some point, you have to stop adding.

At some point, you have to finish.

Now, 2 Corinthians 8 isn’t about writing books. Paul was talking to the Corinthians about completing a financial gift they had previously committed to giving. But I love the principle in his instruction.

They had the desire.

They had started.

Now their completion needed to match their willingness.

Starting isn’t usually my problem. Maybe it isn’t yours either.

Maybe there’s something you were excited about in January that you’ve barely touched since March. Maybe there’s something God put on your heart that became complicated once you realized how much work it would require. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that because you stopped, you failed.

Its ok.

Go back.

September doesn’t have to mean the year is almost over and you’re running out of time. There are still months left in this year.

That’s enough time to return to something.

Enough time to finish.

Zechariah 4:9 says, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it.”

I love that.

The same hands that started it can finish it.

So I’m asking myself a different question as I move through my favorite month:

What have I already laid the foundation for that it’s time to finish?

I’m not looking for something new to start.

I’ve got enough ideas.

This season, I want my completion to match my willingness.

Finish the work.

Until next time,

Dominique

Happy birthday to me! 🎉

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Today is my actual birthday, and I am officially 41 years old!

My 40th year of life did not look the way I thought it would. When I was 39, I did all this preparing because I wanted my 40th year to be exactly what I imagined. But it didn’t quite work out that way. So many things happened that were completely outside of my control.

There were some great times, some incredible highs, and definitely some lows. I learned a lot of lessons. I dug deeper into my writing bag and honestly feel like I unlocked a new creative plane. I had some amazing opportunities at work. I finished the draft of my book.

And through all of it, I can confidently say that I am better than I was last year—even though sometimes it feels like I had to go through the fire to get here.

My word for 2026 was connection, and I’ve watched that word show up in so many different ways. But surprisingly, one of the biggest has been my connection with myself.

I’ve learned to feel my feelings instead of immediately trying to make them go away. I’ve worked on not being so hard on myself. I’ve started asking what’s underneath what I’m feeling and allowing myself to go beneath the surface.

Maybe 40 wasn’t the year everything came together the way I planned.

Maybe it was the year I came together.

As I step into 41, I’m praying that I can tie up some loose ends and go into 2027 with a clean slate and a head start. There are still a few months left in this year, and I believe a lot can happen in that time.

As always, I am grateful. Grateful for my husband, my children, my friends and family, my job, the opportunities I’ve been given, the lessons I’ve learned, and simply for life.

Here’s to 41. ❤️

What if this is Gods help?

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“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
—Psalm 46:1 NIV

I prayed one morning and asked God to help me. If I am honest, the help I wanted was an immediate solution. I wanted everything to be fixed. I wanted the heaviness to lift, the situation to change, and everything to be okay.

That was not exactly what happened.

Instead, God sent help in pieces. People were reached. My husband recognized what I was carrying. I was given little reminders and small things that helped me feel better. Writing helped me process what I was feeling.

None of those things completely resolved the situation, but I could see that God was answering me.

His help simply did not look the way I thought it would.

I think we do this often. We ask God for help, but we already have a picture in our minds of what His help should look like. We want an immediate solution, but He sends an open door. We want the pain removed, but He sends someone who notices us. We want everything restored at once, but He gives us enough strength, wisdom, or peace to make it through the next few hours.

Then we overlook the help because it did not arrive in the form we expected.

I originally thought God’s help would mean changing the situation. Instead, some of His help came through changing how I responded to it.

I wanted Him to remove the sadness. Instead, He helped me recognize it before I redirected it into anger. He gave me the awareness to understand that picking a fight with my husband or focusing on something negative at work would not address what was actually hurting. It would only create another problem.

That was help.

At first, I did not think praying or writing had worked because I did not feel better immediately. In the moment, I thought, I did the thing, and it didn’t work.

A few hours later, however, I realized that I did feel better. Everything was not resolved, and I could still feel some of the heaviness sitting on my chest, but I felt calmer and more hopeful.

The change was not instantaneous, but it was happening.

Sometimes we expect prayer to work like a switch. We pray, and we think the feeling should immediately disappear. When it doesn’t, we assume God has not answered or that what we did was ineffective.

But processing takes time. Healing takes time. Even peace can arrive gradually.

God was not necessarily saying, “I am going to fix everything for you right now.” He was showing me, “Here are some things that will help you carry this. I am with you while you work through it.”

I know God will eventually work everything out, but I also understand that I have to be an active participant in my healing and in the character development He wants to do within me. I cannot ask Him to heal me while refusing to acknowledge what hurts. I cannot ask Him to develop self-control in me and then ignore the opportunities He gives me to practice it.

Sometimes God’s answer is not immediately making us feel better. Sometimes His answer is helping us respond better.

He may give us the self-control not to project our pain onto someone else. He may send someone who recognizes that we are struggling. He may give us the words to write, the courage to be honest, or enough hope to take the next step.

The situation may not be resolved yet, but we are calmer, clearer, more hopeful, and better able to move forward.

What if that is God’s help?

What if the answer is already arriving in pieces, but we have been overlooking it because it does not resemble the complete solution we requested?

God’s help may not always remove the situation immediately. Sometimes it strengthens us, steadies us, and changes us while we walk through it.

That is still help and that is still answered prayer.

Until next time,

Dominique